Plateau State
Website: www.plateaustate.gov.ng
History
Plateau State is the twelfth largest state in Nigeria. During the Murtala Mohammed Regime, the state was formed out of the former Benue-Plateau state which was one of the several large states on the 3rd of February 1976. The state capital is Jos (originally called Gwosh.
Plateau state is estimated as the centre of Nigeria. The state possesses an exceptional geography due to its elevated mountainous area that ranges from around 1,200- 1,829 metres above sea level. The beautiful rocks surrounding the state bore it the name ‘Plateau state’. The area has been left scuffled due to the continuous columbite and tin mining for ages. The Gongola, Yobe, Kaduna, Hadejia rivers springs from Jos Plateau.
Plateau state is known in Nigeria as the “The Home of Peace and Tourisim” It is located at North Central, Nigeria. The state geographical area expands to 26,899 square kilometres with an estimated population of three million people. It’s neighbouring states are: Nasarawa state (east), Kaduna state(east), Benue state (south), Taraba (east). Plateau state can be located between latitude 80°24’N and longitude 80°32′ and 100°38′ east.
Plateau State climate is said to be quite pleasant with an average temperature of between 13 and 22 °C though it is located in the tropical region with an elevated altitude. While the coldest weathers occur between the month of December and February as a result of the harmattan, the warmest weather occurs between the month of March and April because of the dry season. There is also the annual rainfall which diverges between 131.75 cm (52 in) in the southern part to 146 cm (57 in) on the Plateau. The month of July and August possesses the highest rainfall. The average lower weather favourably curtails some tropical diseases such as malaria.
State Capital
Jos also known as J town is the administrative capital of Plateau State. It is the largest city of Plateau State. As a cosmopolitan city, it has a large population of about 900,000 inhabitants based on the 2006 census, this is due to the influx of migrants from within and outside Nigeria. People migrate to the state for Tin mining, trade, tourism, etc.
Governor of plateau State
Simon Bako Lalong, a native of Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State was born on May 5th, 1963. He had his Primary School Education at R.C.M. Primary School Shendam, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977. He also had his Secondary Education at G.S.S Shendam and obtained his O’ Level Certificate in 1982 and obtained an A’ Level in 1986. He thereafter acquired a Bachelor of Law degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1990. He went to the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Law School and had his one-year compulsory studies and was called to bar in 1991. He then went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Law (LLM) at the University of Jos in 2006.
After completing his mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of FCDA Abuja, he started his professional career with T-Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos in 1992. He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co.in Jos from 1997- 1999 as a Managing Partner. He later established Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners, becoming the principal partner.
He took part in the formation of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Shendam L.G.A in 1998, contested and won in the State House of Assembly 1999 elections, representing Shendam consistuency. He subsequently became the Speaker of the State House of Assembly in October 2000. While serving as a Speaker, he simultaneously served as the Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers from 2001- 2002. He was the National Chairman, forum of All Former Speakers of Nigeria and also Chairman of former State Legislators, Plateau State Chapter.
Simon Bako Lalong contested for the Governorship in Plateau state in the April 2015 elections under the Platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won.
Government house
The Plateau State administrative structure is made up of the State Cabinet and independent agencies of government, the House of Assembly and Local Government Areas. The power of the executive is currently vested in the State Governor Hon. Simon Bako Lalong with his Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden, the Chief of Staff. There is also the cabinet which comprises of Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners (cabinet members), Special Advisers, Board Chairmen, General Managers.
The House of Assembly consists of 25 members and 11 special advisers and the current Speaker of the house is Hon. Yusuf Ayuba Abok. He was elected on June 10, 2019 by his Hon. Members following the swearing in of the 9th assembly. The Local Government led by the LGA Chairman and his cabinet that consists of the elected councilors who make up the legislative arm.
Tin mining activities began in 1902 under the British and continue to present day. Jos is known for its mining industry that attracts many people from other part of. It has a lot of construction industries with printing and publishing firms. It has cash crops like maize, yam, cassava, potatoes, vegetables, millet, etc. The Jos museum possesses Teracotta figurines, bronze, pottery artifacts, etc. produced by the Nok civilization that once flourished in that area.
Plateau State has 17 Local Government Areas. Each of the LGA has ethnic groups who share affinities and diverse cultures and traditions. The LGAs are:
Barkin Ladi
Bassa
Bokkos
Jos-East
Jos-North
Jos-South
Kanam
Kanke
North Langtang
South Langtang
Mangu
Minkang
Pankshin
Qua’an Pan
Riyom
Shendam
Wase
The People
The state is made up of over forty ethno-linguistic groups and some of the indigenous tribes in the state are the Berom, Afizere, Amo, Anaguta, Aten, Bogghom, Buji, Challa, Chip, Fier, Gashish, Goemai, Irigwe, Jarawa, Jukun, Kofyar (comprising Doemak, Kwalla, and Mernyang), Montol, Mushere, Mupun, Mwaghavul, Ngas, Piapung, Pyem, Ron-Kulere, Bache, Talet, Taroh (Tarok), Youm and Fulani/Kanuri in Wase.
The predominant occupation of these people is farming. Their cultural and traditional ways of life are alike. Over the years people from other parts of country have migrate into the State for one purpose or the other such as: trade, education, vacation, etc.
Mineral Resources
Tin
Columbite
Lead/Zinc
Bentonyte and Baryte
Gem stones
Kaolin
Coal
Investment Opportunities
There are diverse sectors that are lucrative for investment in the states economy. They include:
Mineral Water Project
The Integrated Industrial Mineral Project
Metallic Mineral Dressing and Processing Plant
The Dimension Stone Projects
The Gem City Project
The Burnt (Clay) Brick Project
Agriculture: Fish Farming, Palm, cocoa and sugarcane plantation, animal husbandry, livestock production etc.
Tourism: Art Gallery, Souvenir Shops, Amusement Park, Recreational.
Tourist Sites
Shere Hills
Wase Rock
Riyom Rock Formation
Kurra Falls
Assop Falls
Pandam Game reserve
Kurang Volcanic Moutain
Rayfield Resort
Museum of Nigeria for Traditional Architecture
Joseph Gomwalk House
Jos Wildlife Park
Solomom Lar Amusement park
Projects
University of Jos.
Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators.
Federal College of Education, Pankshin.
Federal College of Forestry, Jos.
Plateau State Polytechnic
PROJECT |
DESCRIPTION |
CONTRACTOR |
LOCAL GOVENMENT AREA |
Construction of Bukuru Low Cost Road to Rantya |
16, Jos South , , |
Jodalsam Nig. Ltd. |
Jos South |
Gyel |
, , , |
|
Jos South |
Construction of D.B. Zang Junction -Gyel,Gyero, Tanchol and Tahei |
16, Jos South , , |
Foundation Solid Nig Ltd |
Jos South |
Bisichi-Korot-Fan-Rite-Mangu Halle with Spur to |
70, B/Ladi and , , |
EEC Int. Ltd. |
Mangu |
Heipang, Kwi, Nding-Kassa and Rawuru Phase I |
, Mangu , , |
|
Barkin Ladi |
Pankshin-Langkang-Dyis-Sihin with Spur to Asp and Akong |
16, Pankshin , , |
Foundation Solid Nig. Ltd. |
Pankshin |
Construction of Gunji-Shiwer-Dok-Pal with Spur to Tiplik |
33, Kanke , , |
Hajaig Nig. Ltd |
Kanke |
Year Plan
Plateau State have a N172bn budget estimate for the year 2020. The Plan includes:
Metering of water consumers.
Implementation of open-defecation free programme.
Partnership expanded water sanitation hygiene.
Rural Electrification of identified agric hub.
Completion of 28 road projects from previous regime and 25 roads and bridges awarded by the present administration Jos& Bukuru Metropolis.
Plateau State
Slogan
Home of peace and tourism
Capital: Jos

Governor